The very Rev. Fr. Maria De Villa, OSB, Dean Ulan, if you’d allow me to call you Dean Doctor “Ulan” Ulpiano Sarmiento III, our distinguished guests, the faculty, of course, sa ating mga magulang, and to my future compañeros y compañeras.
Medyo nakakapanibago po dahil pulang pula.
My father was a hardcore Bedan. All of us, the boys, attended San Beda in Mendiola. In what he would describe as an “act of treason,” I decided to attend the Ateneo, which in fairness my father would describe, [nandito si Professor Quicho at Professor Sarms, kasama ko sa Ateneo], my father acknowledged the Ateneo to be the best law school. Yes, he said that. Ateneo was the best law school in Rockwell. And so, I graduated in 2004, admitted to the Bar in 2005, and it may not be a coincidence as I learned that my father is a pioneer faculty, together with Dean Ulan in 2005, seemingly as a mission to correct “mistakes” of that other institution.
In any case, by way of response, needless to say, when Dean Ulan texted me a few weeks back to ask permission, I knew it was for formality. I could not answer in behalf of my family without running through the idea to them. But, I know, talagang tatanggapin po namin ‘to. Ang problema ay iniisip naming kung ano ang iisipin ni Papa. Because for those who know, my father was not for any reward, award, or recognition. Ang huling habilin niya po sa amin, paulit-ulit ko nang sinasabi, ay ibalot po siya sa banig at itapon sa ilog. ‘E mga compañeros y compañeras, alam niyo naman hong labag sa batas ‘yan [or] in violation of numerous laws and probably numerous ordinances, so hindi po naming sinunod. But, in any case, Papa, pasensya na po at tinanggap namin ‘tong karangalan na ito. But this is not only to honor you, not only to celebrate your life, but immortalize your legacy to inspire generations to come, to live with integrity, humility, work ethic, and moral rectitude.
If you will just allow me, I will just have a few minutes to share excerpts from an article that Papa to tell our Davids. It’s entitled, “A Message to New Lawyers.” As I assume, and I believe that all of you here will be, as I said, my future compañeros y compañeras, may I start [with] David:
“Where will you be years from now? The driving dream that lifted the most of you in your school days, was that the law, if not the best, offers a good way of serving the obscure, the oppressed, and the marginalized. It takes only a few years of practice, plus a taste of good life for this consuming passion without a trace.
Who among you? Unpublicized and unadvertised to advocate the cause of the poor or unpopular, condemned by some lynch mob. Somewhere down the road, the thought of your children not going to exclusive schools. And of you being labeled unsuccessful, will stare you in the face, and bite deeply in your psyche. And then you will kiss a dream goodbye to join the Goliaths, who defend the rich and powerful with ruthless efficiency. And the process, strengthening their monopolistic struggle hold on the country’s finest talents.
Mediocrities can go far. But, it is the loss of the bright ones that really hurts. Do achieve and affirm what you will. But never [never] forget the least of our brethren. To the modern-day Davids, the awardees, future compañeros y compañeras, do remember that the fight for justice does not always triumph. But those who fight for justice will always be triumphant.”
Maraming maraming salamat po.